Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday declared the Pakistan-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) a terrorist organisation under UAPA, citing its alleged involvement in cross-border smuggling, radicalisation and terrorist activities.
Home Minister Amit Shah announced the decision in a post on X, saying the move was in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “zero tolerance” policy towards terrorism.
According to HM, the network is involved in smuggling arms, explosives and narcotics across India’s borders and in recruiting or influencing young people and petty criminals to participate in terrorist activities. He also accused the syndicate of targeting India’s democratic institutions and communal harmony by circulating hateful and provocative digital content.
In its gazette notification, the MHA described the SBN as an organisation seeking to recruit “gullible youth and local criminals” for the smuggling of arms, explosives and narcotics from across the border. The ministry said the network’s activities pose a serious threat to India’s democratic system, communal harmony and internal security.
Investigating agencies have alleged that the network used social media to recruit and radicalise people in India. Economically vulnerable people, those struggling with drug abuse and individuals described as disaffected were allegedly targeted online.
Those recruited were allegedly assigned tasks including reconnaissance, surveillance, weapons transportation and facilitating terror attacks.
Shahzad Bhatti, described in the inputs as a Pakistani-origin gangster, has been identified as the key face of the alleged ISI-linked terror-gangster network.
Four Pakistan-based associates have also been identified: Abid Jatt, Ajmal Gujjar, Hunain Rana and Hasan Gujjar. They allegedly operated from Pakistan and used social media to recruit people in India.
The network has also been linked to a group calling itself Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan (TTH). According to the inputs, the name was adopted at the alleged direction of the ISI.
The network also allegedly paid people to put up TTH posters in several states in a recent campaign.
The MHA’s latest action formally designates the Shahzad Bhatti Network as a terrorist organisation under the UAPA, strengthening the legal framework for action against the network and its alleged activities.
